New Army “Quiet” & “Helo-Like” FTUAS Drone Develops AI For Fast-Attack

by Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

Finding targets in milliseconds, taking off vertically amid uneven terrain while under enemy fire, networking threat specifics across an integrated series of manned and unmanned combat sensor “nodes” and possibly even delivering attack weapons are merely a few of the US Army’s intended missions for its Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (FTUAS).

The Army’s FTUAS is a fast-emerging effort to engineer a new drone able to perform helicopter-like take-off and landings, survey high threat enemy areas, process targeting data and instantly send specifics to a meshed series of platforms across a multi-domain force.

Rapid prototyping and further testing is the Army’s focus at the moment, as it surges into a new phase 2 of development for the drone, exercising options for Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems offerings. An Army essay on the FTUAS explains some of the operational advantages the new drone is expected to bring to the current and future force. Not surprisingly, vertical take-off, low acoustic signature, networking and agility are key elements of the Army’s vision for the platform.

“The FTUAS Program of Record requirements include runway independence and a rapidly deployable UAS capability. When fielded, FTUAS will provide a distinct tactical advantage over current systems due to increased maneuverability through VTOL, improved command and control supported by the on-the-move capability, a reduced transportation and logistics footprint, as well as significantly improved survivability due to reduced noise signature,” an Army essay says.

Army Manned-Unmanned System History

There is now widespread recognition of the “loyal wingman” manned-unmanned teaming drone phenomenon wherein manned fighter jets operate nearby drones from the cockpit, a development which increases mission flexibility, reduces latency and massively information processing and targeting. One such example of this can be seen in the fast-evolving Air Force Research Lab program called Valkryie, an autonomous, AI-enabled drones which has flown without human intervention and, during testing, exchanged data in flight with an F-35. More recently, many are also likely familiar with the Air Force’s Combat Collaborative Aircraft program now supporting the service’s airborne Next Generation Air Dominance. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has said each NGAD aircraft will operate as part of a “family of systems,” meaning it will fly in close coordination with a small group of CCA drones. Kendall cited this “family of systems” operational concept several years ago as part of the service’s “operational imperatives.” The CCAs will need to be expandable to a larger degree, and therefore lower cost, as they need to operate in high-threat areas and test enemy air defenses, blanket hostile areas with surveillance and even deliver weapons if directed by a human operator.